Broad Question

How can a robot help a mute person?

Specific Question

How can a mute person use Morse Code on a robot to communicate to other people?

Hypothesis

I hypothesize is that using Morse Code on a robot will help people communicate to other people.

Variables

Independent Variable:

The Mute Person

Dependent Variable:

Time(seconds)

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

Same person pressing buttons
Long bleeps
Short bleeps
Spaces

Graph of Hypothesis

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Experimental Design

I will be conducting my experiment at my own house. I only need myself for this experiment. My role is to be the “mute person.” I will conduct 5 trials to get accurate data in order to have a reliable conclusion. I will put the data directly on the computer and write it down, just in case. I will document this process by video taping the test. Once I finish testing, I will review the video of the tests and write about what went right, what went wrong, etc. Just in case this doesn’t work, I will quickly jot down notes about this. It will refresh my memory if I don’t look at the video immediately. The information will also go on Google docs so I can access this information at home and at school. I will take a few pictures of the robot for demonstration of what does what and why it goes in certain places. I will also put a copy of the code for the robot on Google Docs for easier access.

Materials List

• NXT kit
• 1 Computer
• 2 Touch sensors
• 1 person
• RobotC (a program on a computer)
• Cord to plug NXT block into computer

Detailed Procedure

• Pull up RobotC on the computer
• Type in this code:
  • We’re sorry, the code has not been made yet. Once it has been created this will be updated. D:
• Grab the NXT kit.
• Pull out 2 touch sensors and the NXT block that came with the NXT kit.
• Build the robot however you want, but make sure you can see the screen and press 3 buttons
• Plug in the robot to the computer.
• Click Robot in the top left corner. Select Download and Compile.
• If it says there is something wrong with the code, its Caps sensitive so it has to be EXACTLY like the code given then resinc it.
• Turn the NXT robot on.
• Select the file you saved it as (or default if you didn’t name it)
• Run the file
• Press the right sensor (or the one you plugged it into) and it should make a small beep
• Test the left touch sensor too.
• If it does not work go back to the beginning and double check your code.
• You’re done! :D

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Background Research

1.)Some people can’t speak because something is wrong with their vocal cords or voices. Another possibility is that they have nervous system problems causing them to not be able to move their mouth, breathing, and tounge to produce sound. That is called being physically mute. Another form of being mute is when you’re born and hurt the tiny molecule cells called “hair cells” in your ears, causing you to be deaf. Because of this, you need to hear clearly to speak clearly, so their pronounciation of words are wrong, and the result is that they are called mute even though they are not mute. Those people are called deaf-mute. That term is not used anymore because they arent actually mute, unless they want to be.

2.)You can use 2 functions in the code to send messages back to the computer. One sends a single 16 bit value and the other sends three 16 bit values. Either of the 2 NXTs can send messages at either time. It is the users responsibility of the program to not send messages too frequently because it may start congestion on the Bluetooth link or overflow of the NXT’s transmit and receive ques. sendMessage(nMessageID) sends a single 16 bit word message. ‘nMessageID’ should range in value in -32767 to +32767. Never use 0 because it isnt valid. 0 is special because it says theres no message when a message should be sent. sendMessageWithParm(nMessageID, nParm 1, nParm 2) This is identical to the other function i just mentioned, except that it contains 3 16 bit values. This can be useful in easily sending three things in one message. Don’t use 0 as a value.

3.)A Robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by a remote control. Usually is trials a robot is controlled by a computer or program. Robots are able to be autonomous, semi-autonomous, or have a remote control. Robots can vary from humanoids such as ASIMO and TOPIO to nano robots, swarm robots, industrial robots, military robots, mobile and servicing robots. They mimic a lifelike appearance or automating movements which can cause a robot to convey that it has intent or agency on its own. The branch of technology is based on robots and robotics.

4.)In the future, robots will be doing the most dangerous, dirty and boring jobs done by people today. For example, if there is an earthquake the robots will search the rubble for survivors. Also, they will be doing tasks like road paving, snow clearance, and lawn mowing. A robot is a self- or computer- controlled machine designed to do repetitive jobs automatically. You can learn robot skills with Lego Mindstorms, which has all you need to build and program a moving robot. They have 3 sensors. The ultrasonoc sensor allows it to “see” using sonar. The sound sensor picks up verbal commands from the operator. Lastly is the touch sensor which can be used to stop and start the robot. There are other sensors too. The brains of the robot live in a central computer. The display screen can show when its running the program. It can also show pictures.

References

Caswell, Paulette. "Why are People Born Mute?." Re: Why are some people born mute?. Paulette Caswell, Grad student Education, etc., AMICUS, Inc. Ed. Svcs., 15 June 2000. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2000-06/961124153.An.r.html>.

Rebecca , Painter, et al., eds. COOL STUFF 2.0. New York, NY: Andrew Macintyre, 2010. Print.

"RobotC for Mindstorms - More Information." RobotC for Mindstorms. Robotics Academy/Robomatter, 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.robotc.net/support/nxt/MindstormsWebHelp/index.htm#page=nxt_functions/Messaging/More%20Information.htm>.

"Robot." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 20 Jan. Web. 1 Jan. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot>.
Rebecca , Painter, et al., eds. COOL STUFF 2.0. New York, NY: Andrew Macintyre, 2010. Print.

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Results

Data Table

Graphs

Photos

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Data Analysis

The hypothesis was that using Morse Code on a robot will help people communicate to other people. The results do support the hypothesis. There is a relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Some patterns and trends in the data were that you pressed a button for a certain amount of time to make a dot or a dash. The tests performed went smoothly with some minor problems. This is because getting the structure of the robot to press the buttons and see the screen was very complicated. It took many ideas which most didn’t work. Finally, there was a light on it and the structure was perfect, so it worked. The code was also complicated and there were many problems, which we were able to get by. If I could improve my experiment, I would have it send words to the computer so that it can say the word out loud to the reader. An interesting future study might involve other ways for people to communicate to one another even easier than having a robot do it for you, or even making this smaller or lighter so you can carry it around easier.

Conclusion

The original purpose to this experiment was to help someone who couldn't speak talk to people using a robot using Morse Code. The results of the experiment was that you are able to make a robot using Morse Code to help someone talk without talking. What is different is that the design it very small, so it can also be a hand-held device to carry around with you. The program was able to understand that when you press certain buttons, it will make a letter or number on the screen. It worked every time and you can also make sentences on it, though it's a little slow.

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Discussion

The hypothesis was that using Morse Code on a robot will help people communicate to other people. The results do support the hypothesis. There is a relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Some patterns and trends in the data were that you pressed a button for a certain amount of time to make a dot or a dash. The tests performed went smoothly with some minor problems. This is because getting the structure of the robot to press the buttons and see the screen was very complicated. It took many ideas which most didn’t work. Finally, there was a light on it and the structure was perfect, so it worked. The code was also complicated and there were many problems, which we were able to get by. If I could improve my experiment, I would have it send words to the computer so that it can say the word out loud to the reader. An interesting future study might involve other ways for people to communicate to one another even easier than having a robot do it for you, or even making this smaller or lighter so you can carry it around easier.